Academic Program Review SUMMARY* Department under review: Information Systems Date self-study received in Dean’s office: December 9, 2013 Date of external consultant’s review: April 24, 2013 Date APR received report: January 3, 2014 APR’S summary of self-study (first two boxes must be completed) APR’s summary of how the academic program attempts to reach its goals and objectives and the extent to which those goals and objectives have been achieved. As part of the mission to prepare students for IT-related careers, the Department of Information Systems offers a major and a minor in information systems to students who have been admitted to the College of Business Administration (CBA), and also a minor for students in the other colleges. The department graduated an average of 14.2 (sd = 3.2) majors in academic years 2006-07 through 2011-12, with the data showing a modest upward trend over time (P=.03). The rate of increase has been about three additional graduates every two years. During this same period the number of minors graduated ranged from 4 to 10, this time with no significant upward trend over time (P = .160). The IS major requires 29 credits, 26 of which are accounted for by 8 specific required courses and three of which are fulfilled by an elective selected by the student from a list of several IS courses. In addition to these 29 credits, a student must fulfill the CBA core requirements and General Education requirements in order to graduate with a baccalaureate degree in IS. In 2013 a minor in health information systems management (HISM) was approved and is now being offered. The self-study paints a picture of a department that, though small, is strong on assessment of student learning, values faculty development, and is quick to respond to changes in the information systems field. The alacrity of the department in identifying new opportunities and making substantial changes or innovations was in evidence in the creation of the HISM minor. The department reported that it had 6 FTE teaching positions at the time of the self study (2012). APR’s comments including: Notable Strengths 1. Strong assessment of major program, focusing on three key advanced courses. 2. Excellent success in placing IS graduates in entry level jobs. 3. Efficient use of courses taught by another department (Computer Science) to provide two foundation courses for the IS major, CS120 and CS220. 4. Systematic updating of curriculum, such as the recent addition of the HISM minor. 5. A faculty that is very productive in the area of research and scholarly work. Notable Challenges 1. One foundation course (CS364) for the IS major no longer adequately prepares Information Systems students for a later course in the curriculum. 2. While three courses taught by the CS department are currently required for the IS program, any of those courses may diverge in content or focus from what is needed by IS, or the needs of IS may diverge from what is provided by those courses. 3. Information Systems does not offer its elective courses on a regular basis, limiting the student’s choice of which elective course to use to complete the major. 4. According to the self study, the program is seriously understaffed. There is some question as to whether or not the department has enough staff to handle demand for the HISM minor. APR comments on any/all of the six specific components of the self-study (if applicable) Self-Study: Purposes The department’s goal for its major program is to prepare students for IT-related careers. A second goal is to contribute to the scholarly output of the CBA. From the self-study it is clear that these goals are being met. Regarding the first goal, Career Services reported to the department that from 2001 through 2011, there were only two years in which fewer than 100% of Information Systems graduates found employment. Those two years were 2002 and 2003, and even in those years the employment rates were over 90%. Not only is job placement good, the average salaries of IS graduates since 2004 have ranged from $40,000 to $51,189. Even in the substantial economic downturn in 2008 and 2009 graduates of the IS major program were 100% successful in finding jobs. It is notable that IS graduates and CS graduates are qualified for some of the same entry level jobs in business and apparently IS graduates and CS graduates are both successful in getting these jobs. Self Study: Curriculum The major program consists of 29 credits. Of these, 26 are accounted for by 8 specific required courses. Three of the 8 specific required courses are CS120 (Software design I, 4 credits), CS220 (Software design II, 4 credits), and CS364 (Introduction to database management systems, 3 credits). These are taught by the Computer Science Department. As reported in the self study, two of the three required CS courses (software design I & II) pose no articulation problems. However, CS364 does not meet the needs of IS students. The APR committee concurs that this is a very important issue that needs to be addressed. Self Study: Assessment of Student Learning & Degree of Program Success The College of Business Administration established an Assurance of Learning Task Force in the fall of 2009, which led to the development of overarching CBA student learning outcomes and a framework for the assessment throughout the college. The CBA has received national recognition for this. The IS department bases its program assessment on learning outcomes that can be measured in three upper division courses corresponding to the three objectives of the IS major. These three objectives are for students to achieve competency in: (1) problem solving, (2) data communications, and (3) information systems development. Competency in problem solving and systems development is assessed in the IS capstone courses, IS401 (Systems Analysis and Design) and IS411 (Systems Implementation). Competency in data communications is assessed in IS330 (Business Choices of Data Communications). Exams and projects are used for assessment in these courses. The self-study presents data indicating a 78% to 91% success rate in students meeting or exceeding expectations. With regard to the specific elements of competency or traits that the department assesses, it is noted, with approval, that they are all very general. Students developing these traits should be well prepared for IT careers in many very different sorts of businesses. Self-Study: Previous Academic Program Review and New Program Initiatives The health information systems management (HISM) minor is a new program initiative that has displaced some of the other electives that the department would like to offer. This may put students at a disadvantage, because those electives are important. The department feels that more faculty are needed. A concern from the 2002 AACSB review was the low quantity of scholarly output by the department. This has been addressed, and the department is now very productive. Self-Study: Personnel The Unit Data Sheet shows that the number of instructional FTE’s in the department increased from 3 to 6 in the period from Fall 2006 to Fall 2012. Since 2012, growth in the program has continued and the HISM minor has been approved. It seems likely that demand for that new minor will be solid, and that there will be a need for additional FTE beyond the six that the department had in 2012. Self-Study: Support for Achieving Academic Program Goals (Resources) The present physical facilities available for instruction are adequate as is the S&E budget from the CBA Dean. The department recently got lab modernization funds to upgrade computing equipment in Wing 25. However, lack of personnel jeopardizes the ability of the IS Department to achieve its goals, going forward. External Reviewer Recommendations APR’s Comments on External Reviewer (if applicable) The Accreditation Agency report addressed the entire CBA and commended the college on a variety of strengths and effective practices; extending the accreditation another five years. They did suggest that the college continue to work to enhance the quality and quantity of intellectual contributions from faculty. From the IS self-study, we see that this suggestion has already been addressed by the IS department, and the intellectual contributions of that department are excellent. All departments in the CBA, including Information Systems, will need to become familiar with the new revised definitions/criteria for academic and professional qualification that are used in decisions such as hiring and retaining of faculty. Department’s response to the Reviewer Recommendations APR’s Comments on the Department’s Response (if applicable) Not applicable. Dean’s Letter APR’s Comments on Dean’s Letter (if applicable) The Dean’s letter, dated December 30, 2013, notes that with some growth in the IS major and minor and in the new HISM minor, the department will likely need additional FTE. The Dean also mentions that the IS faculty have made significant contributions to staffing graduate-level classes in the MBA program, another laudable contribution to the University. The APR Committee concurs with the Dean that the IS major program is a strong program with excellent employment statistics for graduates. In addition the predicted need for more FTE has materialized. . APR’s Recommendations (must be completed) Recommendations: 1. The Department and Dean should work together to address the staffing needs of the IS programs. 2. Continue the strong assessment program and use it to improve the curriculum. 3. In assessment, continue to focus on general traits that will make graduates flexible and adaptable to change, since they will be working in a rapidly changing industry. 4. Develop and implement a strategy for better addressing IS student needs concerning a database course. X No serious areas to address – review in next regularly scheduled cycle □ Some areas to address – review in next regularly scheduled cycle □ Some areas to address – department should submit short report on progress to Fac Senate/Provost’s Office in 3 years * APR’s report to faculty senate will consist of this completed form in electronic form.